One Tired Ghost Hunter

Yesterday was post-free because I was recovering from an all-night ghost hunt. The location is old with much history... and a ghost who wanted to play rather than show itself. After a long night of wandering through rooms and the outside coupled with the quiet, mind-numbing viewing of monitors and event-logging, I was facing down the 4AM decision of whether to crash in my sleeping bag or to leave with the other 10 group members to an adjacent building where a spirit had been taunting other members throughout the night. Of course, I'm going in. Head lamp on, digital voice recorder at the ready, I marched in with the rest, as if going into battle. We let the spirit know we were there, en-masse, and there to stay. There would be no intimidation unless it was from us and we would take nothing less than total communication and co-operation from it.

After an hour of watching shadows flit and hearing intermittent knockings in response to our questions - knockings that could have been explained by the building settling, I was finished. I was tired, I was hungry, and I wanted action. I stood up and said, "I'm done. I'm tired of you acting the coward, scaring and intimidating us and others who pass through here. I want you to show yourself to me, talk to me, and do it now, because I'm over it and I want to go the hell home with evidence of your cowardly presence." I boldly walked to the back of the darkened room where shadows had been seen and, shaking like a leaf from fatigue and adrenaline, I stood there. Behind me, J.D. replied, "Yeah! I'd listen to her if I were you!"

I couldn't believe it! Here I was, third-ever ghost hunt, provoking a spirit, the unknown, possibly pissing something off that could cause me and mine harm by following me home and scaring the bejeezus out of my family! And then, as I stood there, all tired and hungry 66-inches of me, egging on whatever it was that was probably quietly watching me, I wondered what it will be like for me? What if I become trapped on this plane after death? Misunderstood and scaring the living, unintentionally becoming the scary story parents tell their kids during slumber parties, flashlight to chin, little girls screaming and hiding under their covers? Could I someday become the spirit that a future ghost hunter provokes to "come out of the shadows and face her!" And if I am that spirit someday, will I appear and apologize or will I continue to hide, giggling in the shadows, waiting for the next unwitting person to frighten?

I realized all of this and shakily returned to my seat. Adrenaline gone, hunger and extreme fatigue still there, I sat down, bowed my head, and quietly listened to my fellow ghost hunters continue the session. Thirty minutes later, as the sun's rays turned the dark, starry sky to a bright orange, I trudged back to my sleeping bag and pillow for a quick nap before the long drive home.

I have a lot to think about today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.